Ink's My Thing

Write-a-Thon Wrap-Up

July 29th marked the end of the Clarion West Write-a-Thon. I participated, as you know, and sought to reach my goals while raising money for the CW workshops. I raised $10. Let’s recap what else I set out to do. This is my Write-a-Thon Wrap-Up.

Write a novel for real this time. Or, begin work (again) on longtime project Timeless Kid.

Keep up with weekly blogging right here at Ink’s My Thing.

Do extra reviews for my writing group, WYRM.

So, after six weeks, how did I do?

As fine gamblers across America might say, I broke even.

Whatever Happened to Timeless kid?

I honestly did begin Timeless Kid again in earnest, and with new passion for the story I’m trying to tell. I didn’t get a big word count out of that pledge, but I have a better understanding of the characters, and a path forward in mind. It’s hard to pin down the motivations of my antagonist, so I’d call that my biggest problem right now. Yet, if it’s possible, I’d say I have an even better outline coming out of the summer Write-a-Thon, complete with chapter titles and a near blow-by-blow of events. Until the actions of my main characters are what I would call ‘pure’, I’m not comfortable charging ahead with it. I know I’d wind up unhappy.

Is Ink Still Your Thing?

Absolutely. My goal to keep up with this blog feels like the one thing I have achieved in full over the past several weeks. I cranked out both fun activities with Dan, as well as your more standard book reviews and criticism, so I’d say that’s a win.

What About the WYRMs?

I did not do any extra reviews to put in my writing group’s bank. On the other hand, I did keep up reasonably well reviewing. So, as I have not been the finest WYRM over these last weeks, I have been far from the worst.

There are two bonus events I would like to share. One is that I have finally finished Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the two-tome Hayao Miyazaki classic. It was great, and a review will be here soon. Suffice it to say, it was worth the wordage.

Next, I went ahead and got myself off of caffeine. It mostly had to do with my coming down with flu-like symptoms (in the middle of summer, which is odd) that included some of the worst muscle aches I can remember having. In an effort to get healthy, I decided to exercise more and cut caffeine, on the advice of my sister, rather than just let the illness run its course. Well, I got better. Not sure if it’s the result of drinking decaf or not, but I’m happy I was able to kick without too many headaches. I’m not sure I feel any better or worse for having been off caffeine; my neck’s still a little stiff, and there’s no appreciable difference in my energy level, but if I can point to one benefit, it’s that my thoughts have slowed down some. And I mean that in a good way. Being able to relax and concentrate can only help improve my writing, and my daily life.

So, that was CW Write-a-Thon 2016. With or without stated creative goals, here’s to making more progress for both you and me.